Kakashi had come to Yumetsuki early the following morning, and he had borne out everything that had happened – how he had been approached by Danzo, how he had gone to join the Root and how he had met a boy there with the ability to use the Wood Style. And following the events of the previous night, he had also gone and given false news to Danzo.
Yumetsuki had listened to him patiently and then, with the help of Hiruzen and some of his trusted ANBU members, the two of them constructed a plan to bring out the Wood Style-user into the open so they could confront him and confirm his abilities for sure this time before they went any further.
In the end, they had Kakashi turn himself into the copy of Hiruzen while Yumetsuki and the rest of the ANBU members accompanied him to travel off to the Fire Feudal Lord's residence.
"Hokage-Sama, are you ready to depart?" Yumetsuki inquired as she showed upon the roof of the Hokage Residence where the pseudo-Hiruzen was waiting for her.
"Yes, let's depart!" replied Hiruzen, or rather, Kakashi as he looked at the girl kneeling in front of him in her ANBU-garb, wearing the Yukito mask for her Ice Style.
From there, the two of them along with five ANBU members departed on their little mission at the hour of the tiger. And as they travelled through the forested outskirts of Konohagakure, Yumetsuki could feel the Root members all over the place, very clearly following them. The one she was most interested in was the boy Kakashi told her of, Kinoe, who could use the Wood Style.
"Enemy attack...!"
It took them long enough but the Root members were finally on their way to attack Hiruzen as they appeared from above, and immediate fighting broke out amongst the ANBU and Root members. And as expected, the five ANBU members were taken off course.
Yumetsuki gave the Root members the benefit of the doubt and herself sparred against a Root member, making it seem like she was struggling against him when she was sure she could defeat him. Her sensors were far off toward where Kakashi was disguised as the Hokage.
And as soon as she felt the first instance of a new presence, Yumetsuki defeated the Root member in front of her and headed toward pseudo-Hiruzen as Kinoe jumped off a tree.
"Wood Style Jutsu...!" Kinoe said before long wooden logs appeared out of the ground and attacked the pseudo-Third Hokage right in the vital spot.
"What?" responded the pseudo-Hiruzen as he was struck in the stomach by the wood.
However, Kinoe soon realised that the person he thought was the Third Hokage had only been a substitute. He looked up to see Hiruzen on a nearby tree branch and Kinoe stilled when he saw Yumetsuki appear near to Hiruzen. With a puff of smoke, Kakashi stood in place of Hiruzen with her.
"I apologise but this is it for now," Yumetsuki spoke to Kinoe and she pursed her lips when she saw that he was about to use his Ninjutsu against her again.
"Wood Style: Grant Forest Jutsu...!" Kinoe said, putting his hands together before holding one to Kakashi and other to Yumetsuki in order to attack them.
Kakashi immediately began his Chidori while Yumetsuki defended herself by raising a wall of Ice that appeared without her even having to move a single finger. The wood struck Ice and Kinoe's eyes widened as it rapidly froze his Wood, travelling toward his arm until he detached it from the Jutsu.
"Chidori...!" Kakashi shouted, streaking through the wood, making Kinoe fall back.
Yumetsuki dispelled her Ice when the Wood began to retreat. Kakashi jumped above Kinoe, his feet on both sides and Chidori ready but Yumetsuki moved next to him quickly.
"This is enough," Yumetsuki said to Kakashi before looking down toward the ten-year-old masked boy. "You... where did you learn the Wood Style?" Kakashi lowered his Chidori to the boy's face.
"I wouldn't expect an answer..." said Kakashi. "Leave," He took away the Chidori from his face. "Go quickly! The Jutsu of yours will be critical for Konohagakure one day,"
Kinoe stared at the two of them, the feeling of his eyes very vivid even through the mask.
"Go on," Yumetsuki said as she reached out to pull the boy onto his feet with a strength that surprised the boy. "Hurry up, we are asking you to leave,"
With that, Yumetsuki pushed him slightly and Kinoe went running off, looking at the ivory-haired girl over his shoulder briefly before he disappeared into the bushes. It was silent as Yumetsuki and Kakashi glanced at each other, and moments later, the rest of the ANBU arrived back.
"They were only after the Sandaime-Sama," spoke one of the five ANBU men. "It seems their purpose was to separate us from Sandaime-Sama,"
"They scattered off somewhere," Yumetsuki informed them, standing still in her place and knowing that they would trust her sensory abilities.
"Were you two all right?" asked the man.
"Yes..." Kakashi replied.
"Did you recognise the enemy?" inquired the first man.
"I don't know who it was," Kakashi said and Yumetsuki nodded along.
"Well, that's all right," said the man, though he looked a bit suspicious of the two youngsters amongst them. "I'm sure Sandaime-Sama will take care of the rest,"
The Third Hokage did not have to take care of the rest on his own – Yumetsuki insisted on joining him and went ahead to scout out the area before Hiruzen arrived into the Hokage's Office. There was no sign of Root members here but she did find Danzo in the office by himself.
Hiruzen had told her that he would deal with his former teammate on his own and Yumetsuki had stuck back on the roof to keep a look-out. Still, she observed into the office with her Ice Style Jutsu so that things would not escalate unnecessary and be witnessed by the villagers.
Danzo, as mentioned earlier, was inside and he had perched himself upon the Hokage's chair, which Yumetsuki found to be a rather disrespectful move right after attempting to murder Hiruzen.
"I regret to inform you..." Hiruzen spoke up, shocking Danzo onto his feet as he turned around to see the Third Hokage. "... that I won't be giving up that seat just yet," He looked up. "It seems like you want to ask me why I'm still alive..."
"It's nothing like that," Danzo replied, clearly trying to salvage himself. "I understood that you left this morning for the Feudal Lord's prefecture,"
"A certain fellow betrayed me..." Hiruzen said. "Rather, he came back to me... and warned us that we would be targeted on the way to the prefecture," He paused but then spoke coldly, "I can easily investigate and find out who is behind this... and that person will be executed, that is clear ass day.
"But it's against my principles to cause any more death. If I could meet that person, I would tell him... that I will overlook his actions this time... but in exchange, he must do all that is in his power... for the sake of the village of Konohagakure,"
"You and your ideals of peace..." Danzo spoke up finally and Yumetsuki listened in with distaste. "One day, that naivete will be the death of you, Hiruzen,"
"Hmm..." Hiruzen responded. "Perhaps, you're right,"
Danzo walked out from behind the Hokage's desk and began to make his way out of the Office. Yumetsuki kept herself ready, and more so when the man suddenly stopped on his way.
"We've always been like this," Danzo said. "You are the light and I am the darkness,"
"Wherever there is light, there is darkness," Hiruzen replied, facing away from his former teammate. "But losing either one causes disruptions in the world,"
Danzo left the Hokage's Office moments later and Yumetsuki pursed her lips.
It wasn't until later that night that Yumetsuki got the chance to go and talk to Hiruzen. She found him atop the Hokage Monument, standing upon the mountain rather than the tourist spot that even she frequented on her own. Yumetsuki appeared next to him with a cool breeze.
"Sensei," Yumetsuki greeted as she looked toward him but Hiruzen seemed to not want to discuss the issue with her as of yet. "What is on your mind, Sensei, if I may ask?"
"I have been thinking about something," Hiruzen replied. "Something about you, yourself, Yumeko-Chan," Yumetsuki looked at him in surprise. "I feel like you would do well with a student now,"
"... a student for me?" Yumetsuki asked, who felt like at the age of thirteen that she was the same age as most Genins, if not younger. "Would that be alright...?"
"Of course," Hiruzen said. "If you find it too difficult, we can always arrange something else," He smiled. "But for now, I believe you will learn a lot by having a student,"
"You are convinced of things I would not trust myself with," Yumetsuki admitted, and she was smiling lightly as well. "May I inquire about the person you want me to have as a student?"
"Why don't I just arrange a meeting for you two this weekend?" Hiruzen suggested.
"So, you wish to keep it a secret until then," Yumetsuki replied. "I suppose weekend is okay,"
Hiruzen nodded at her and looking back toward the village lights in the distance, and Yumetsuki found herself wondering what she would do as a teacher. And she also wondered what she could even teach someone, and what sort of person her student would be.
Yumetsuki had always wanted to have a student in the back of her heart but she still felt a bit nervous as she felt like she was not a good enough person to be able to do that. Still, she wanted to do her best no matter what sort of learning that student wanted from her.
There was a sudden presence heading their way and Yumetsuki turned her head just in time for her to see Kakashi arrive behind them, dressed in his ANBU clothing. He placed his mask on the ground.
"Professor..." Kakashi spoke. "I'm unqualified to be in the ANBU,"
"Why?" Hiruzen asked as he, too, turned to look at the silver-haired boy behind him, beneath the moon's rays. "Thanks to you, I'm still alive,"
"Still, I nearly betrayed you once," Kakashi replied, lowering his head.
"I couldn't protect the Fourth Hokage... I can't blame you if you hate me for that," Hiruzen said. "Actually, when Minato was alive, he came to speak to me about you and Yumeko-Chan,"
With that, Hiruzen recalled the time when Minato revealed to Hiruzen how he wanted his students to forget the pain in their hearts, even if it was just a little, which got him to make Kakashi ANBU with Yumetsuki so that they would share their feelings.
But also how he was regretting it as it might have made the pain go even deeper. Hiruzen revealed to the two youngsters how he had suggested Minato assign the two of them to guard Kushina and how it might trigger a change in them, seeing a woman forming a new life.
This appeared to be news to both of them as Yumetsuki and Kakashi's eyes flew to each other in order to see if they had any clue. They had absolutely no idea about it.
"When Minato died..." Hiruzen said. "I considered releasing the two of you from the ANBU, for a moment. But I am in need of your strengths at this time,"
"Yes, sir," Kakashi said while Yumetsuki lowered her head.
"Will you continue on as an ANBU who reports directly to me?" Hiruzen asked Kakashi.
"Yes!" Kakashi answered.
"I hope that Minato will forgive me as well..." Hiruzen said.
"Sandaime-Sama..." Kakashi said. "There's something I need to tell you," Hiruzen looked toward him. "There's someone in the Root who uses the Wood Style..."
"Just as I thought..." Hiruzen said. "I have an idea who it is. Let me handle this,"
"Yes, sir," Kakashi replied.
Following this conversation, Hiruzen had dismissed Yumetsuki and Kakashi, telling them to go ahead and turn into their beds for rest. And they had accepted it without any objections as they left the Hokage Monument but rather going to their apartments, their feet had led them astray.
Both Yumetsuki and Kakashi stood in silence, their eyes stuck on the large black Kunai-shaped structured that was filled with the names of their comrades, glinting under the silvery moonlight.
It was quiet between the two of them until Kakashi looked up and toward the girl next to him.
Yumetsuki looked as beautiful as she always did under the moonlight with her moon rays for hair and her crystal blue eyes. He wanted to reach out for her and hold her tightly in a hug.
"... you," Kakashi spoke up and he watched as her luminous eyes turned to him. "You liked Obito, didn't you...? As in... you liked him more than a friend, didn't you?"
Had it been any normal circumstance with anyone other than Kakashi, Yumetsuki would have refused to answer. She would've refused to talk to them ever again for bringing up her feelings for Obito because she had locked them away in the depths of her heart, faraway from reality.
"Yes, you are correct," Yumetsuki replied and Kakashi felt his heart drop. "I... really did like Obito-Kun. Whenever I looked at him... I felt like I would never be able to convey my feelings to him, they were too vast for me to comprehend, like the ocean that surrounded my home..."
Kakashi was silent as he listened to the girl trail off with her thoughts, her blue eyes now away from his face and upon the Memorial Stone where Obito's name was inscribed. He felt a heaviness in his chest that was swallowing him whole, threatening to drown him in its depths. He related to what Yumetsuki felt but his feelings, his heart and his eyes were only for her.
Everything inside of him hurt as he tried to comprehend it – he felt the same way for her and he yearned to tell her about it so that the burden on his shoulders would lessen. He was too young to be feeling this way yet he was equally unsure if he would ever be able to confess either.
"Didn't Obito liked...?" Kakashi asked warily, staring at her face to catch some truth to her feelings but he suddenly felt cruel, bringing up her crush's love in front of her.
But Kakashi wondered – he wondered if it hurt her as much as it hurt him that Obito loved Rin. If she felt the same way as Kakashi felt whenever she would look at Obito and blush, think of him and smile, listen to him with attention, eat with him and laugh that wonderful laugh of hers.
"I am aware of that," Yumetsuki replied quietly. "Obito-Kun loved Rin-Chan... I was so envious of that... I still feel it a little but... I had begun to respect his feelings for her. I had backed away,"
"Would you like to be friends again?" Kakashi asked. "I feel we haven't quite been so in a while..." Yumetsuki looked at him. "I promise to protect you from everything, Yuren-Chan,"
"... Kakashi-Kun?" Yumetsuki said, taken aback by his sudden request and even he felt himself far too brave than his heart could allow him to be at the moment.
"I want to be in your life again," Kakashi whispered and Yumetsuki stared at him.
Then, surprisingly, Yumetsuki's lips pulled up to give him a small, soft, rose-coloured smile that suffocated Kakashi. She was smiling – at him, and it was too much for him to bear by himself. Her face framed by the blue knitted scarf was bright, and her eyes closed into half-moons in her smile. Kakashi's cheeks flamed underneath the mask.
"Kakashi-Kun, thank you," Yumetsuki replied. "I would like that..."
"C-Come on, I'll take you home," Kakashi said, flustered as he gestured to the wrong direction without meaning to and Yumetsuki smiled a little wider.
"I do not live at the orphanage anymore, Kakashi-Kun," Yumetsuki reminded him gently. "Remember...? I live in the apartment next to yours,"
"Oh, r-right," Kakashi said, stumbling over his words as his face turned tomato red. "I'm sorry, come on, let's go home together...? If you don't mind..."
"Yes, thank you," Yumetsuki replied. "Let us go together,"
As they walked down the training grounds and towards the main streets, Yumetsuki looked toward Kakashi, who appeared nervous. For her, it was entirely the feelings of positivity that he had finally reached out to her for friendship. He had taken the first step and she should take the second.
Yumetsuki looked at Kakashi's left hand which was hanging between them as they walked and reached out, grabbing it. He looked at her and she just nodded, making him hide a smile.
Holding hands with someone was something new for Yumetsuki but she wished to somehow convey to him that she appreciated his reach of friendship toward her. It was dark and they could do this hand-holding of appreciation without any trouble from others.
The feeling of Kakashi's hand was soft despite what one would expect from him and it was so warm compared to hers that Yumetsuki found a strange comfort within it.
Still, the two teenagers remained quiet all the way back to their apartment building and they did not let go of their hands or speak to each other until they arrived outside Kakashi's apartment door.
"Have a nice sleep, Kakashi-Kun," Yumetsuki said gently. "Here," She unwrapped the scarf around her neck and swung is around Kakashi's shoulders, wrapping it around warmly. "Is it okay?"
It was a scarf that Grandma Chi had left behind unfinished from the scrap yarn left after the elderly woman had made Yumetsuki a scarf for her promotion. Yumetsuki had finished it and she felt like this scarf could do well with a home of its own – around Kakashi's shoulders.
"Thank you..." Kakashi said, surprised at her actions and feeling his heart quicken its pace as he looked at her face. "You as well, Yuren-Chan, thank you,"
"Good night," Yumetsuki said, waving slightly as she walked further down the path to her apartment and opened her apartment door. "Good night, Kakashi-Kun,"
Kakashi waved back one time before Yumetsuki disappeared as the door closed behind her, and he wished he had invited her inside his, "Good night. Yuren-Chan..."
With Yumetsuki gone, Kakashi suddenly felt the coldness of the atmosphere and he wondered if he had pushed out more courage. She had opened up so much to him merely by him extending a hand of friendship – he hated himself for taking so long to voice those words to her.
The inside of his apartment was silent and dark. Kakashi did not turn on the lights as he stripped himself of his ANBU outfit and brought out his futon to lay it down in the living room.
It was about time that he used the apartment bedroom but he had not gotten the energy to buy himself a bed yet. He made a mental note to do that. It might be a good change.
Yumetsuki's scarf was still in his grasp as he laid in his bedding, his head set against its softness. It was warm, so warm, just like the girl herself. And it smelt like snowdrops and winterberries. Kakashi burrowed his head into it, closing his eyes to let himself fall asleep.
In that silence, Kakashi wondered if Yumetsuki knew how much his heart had clutched when she had looked at Obito and how it would speed up in its pace whenever she looked at him, especially when she smiled at him? She must have felt this pain whenever Obito would pay more attention to Rin like how Kakashi felt when he wanted to have all of her attention.
Kakashi wanted her to look only at him and smile whenever she thought of him – Yumetsuki was both heaven and hell for him. She made him feel blissful and happy like nothing else yet it was hell for him whenever she was hurt by others, whenever someone else took her attention.
Whenever he looked at the white-haired girl, Kakashi wanted to bring her into his arm and hold her tightly to himself, and nothing else would matter to him anymore.
That night, Kakashi fell asleep whilst clutching Yumetsuki's scarf and for the first time in many weeks, he managed to have a peaceful sleep, free from all nightmares.
Yuren-Chan...
if only I had the guts to...
❄️
Everything was tense the following week – it had been Sunday when Hiruzen had been targeted, and from Monday through Thursday, Yumetsuki had to travel outside the village to investigate suspicious activity in the Land of Whirlpools which previously harboured Uzushiogakure.
Yumetsuki had run right into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and as many of her colleagues deemed her heartless against Kiri-Nin, she had fought against them all until she had drove them out of the land and put an end to the illegal trade that had brought them down there.
It had been barely been thirty minutes back in Konohagakure when Yumetsuki had been filled in regarding the actions of Orochimaru, and how Kakashi had gone by himself to fight him.
Yumetsuki arrived on location to only find Kakashi there, and while there were signs of Orochimaru having been there, he was gone by now. Her priority was upon the silver-haired boy.
"Kakashi-Kun," Yumetsuki said as she reached the frozen boy. "Kakashi-Kun, are you alright?" She saw the blood spilling from his forehead. "Wait, do not move,"
In the clearing, there laid a dead snake belonging to Orochimaru and it appeared to have been killed by an Explosive Tag. On the other end laid Kakashi's broken mask. Yumetsuki pulled out her Medi-Kit and began to clean Kakashi's injury, wiping the blood clean and healing it.
"I-I'm perfectly fine," Kakashi answered after several silent minutes and by which time, Yumetsuki had pushed back his bangs so she had clear view of his injury.
"You should be careful, Kakashi-Kun," Yumetsuki told him.
Kakashi however stayed quiet, staring at the girl in front of him as she wiped the blood on his forehead and face. He stared at her eyes to placate himself as she concentrated on helping him.
"How did you find me?" Kakashi asked as Yumetsuki gently patched him up.
"I returned home just now," Yumetsuki replied. "When I heard what had happened, I departed immediately to look for you, and help you against Orochimaru,"
"Right..." Kakashi said, rubbing his head and Yumetsuki looked toward him with worry. "I'm okay, Yuren-Chan, and thank you for helping me out,"
"It is okay," Yumetsuki assured him. "Hiruzen Sensei has called for an ANBU meeting, I have a certain feeling that it is about Orochimaru, we should head there as well,"
Yumetsuki was sure that Kakashi was not doing well – he seemed frazzled after his encounter with Orochimaru. She did not understand that entirely but she wondered if he had been struck by some sort of Killing Intent because he appeared to have been paralysed in place when she had arrived.
However, there was no more questioning between the pair of them, however, as they arrived in front of the ANBU station to find dozens of others gathered, as well as Hiruzen and Danzo.
"This emergency summons was called regarding the capture of Orochimaru," spoke Hiruzen. "He escaped during the previous mission. According to intel reports, Orochimaru is seriously wounded,"
Although it was not said out loud but from what she knew of her teacher by now, Yumetsuki could paint a vivid picture of what must have happened. She was privy to all of her Sensei's important actions, and she knew that he must have personally gone to bust his former student.
"Considering this condition," Hiruzen said. "He will not be able to leave the Land of Fire easily. Listen carefully – the knowledge, data and Jutsu that Orochimaru possesses are a valuable asset to Konoha. If possible, bring him back alive for if he leaves the Land of Fire, it will be a fatal blow to Konoha! And so, this must be settled before he crosses the nation's borders. Everyone, do your best, scatter!"
Along with the rest of them, the white-haired girl left the place as well, and she knew from her own experience sharing the same teacher as Orochimaru that Hiruzen did not want him killed at all.
They were dispersed all around the country from there onwards and Yumetsuki was on her way to scout out the abandoned shrines to look for her sibling-student, ready to take him on and back.
Yet everywhere that was checked out turned out to be a bust – there was no sign of Orochimaru anywhere. Yumetsuki was about to spread out her sensory boundaries when she was intersected by none other than a strange, talking dog with Konoha's headband.
"Hey, you're Yuki Yumetsuki, aren't you?" commented the pug-like dog and Yumetsuki stared at him. "Don't look at me like that now, young girl, I'll get shy,"
"Who are you?" Yumetsuki asked. "And what do you want? Have you discovered Orochimaru?"
"Oh, you really are very astute!" said the dog. "My name's Pakkun and nah, I haven't found Orochimaru yet but I'm going to need your help,"
"What is that?" Yumetsuki inquired, eying the symbol on his shirt. "Hatake... Kakashi-Kun sent you?"
"Heh, you are for sure," Pakkun replied. "Well, he hasn't sent me out to you but I have a feeling that he needs your help. You have to come with me immediately,"
It was the strangest occasion but when she heard that Kakashi might need her help, Yumetsuki moved to follow the Summon dog immediately. They travelled deep into the forest where they found a peculiar tree, and she could sense Kakashi in there. He was not alone, either.
Pakkun left the girl there to go and continue on with his tracing of Orochimaru. Yumetsuki headed inside the tree, concealing her presence until she found inside Kakashi... and Kinoe?
Kinoe had Kakashi wrapped up in his Wood Style, and Yumetsuki was quick to destroy them, freeing her partner and causing both the boys to turn toward her in shock.
"What is going on here?" Yumetsuki questioned the pair of them in a cool voice. She turned to face the smaller brunet. "What are you doing here?"
"Danzo-Sama's orders," Kinoe replied. "I am to wait here for Orochimaru-Sama..."
"I knew it," Kakashi said. "You intend to allow Orochimaru to get away,"
"Well, we're all after the same thing," Kinoe said. "Danzo-Sama is only thinking about Konoha. The thing to fear the most is Orochimaru-Sama leaving the village borders. He sent me to stop him,"
"Is that so?" Yumetsuki replied. "Orochimaru is currently seriously wounded,"
"If he can't move, obtaining intel is useless," Kakashi added. "He may not even make it here. Perhaps that's especially why obtaining intel is important,"
"There are more people located here," Yumetsuki said as she sensed presence around them. "Who are they? How is this place connected to Orochimaru?"
"It's the Iburi Clan," Kinoe replied. "A clan that has the ability to transform their bodies into smoke. Orochimaru-Sama discovered them... and it seems like he performed experiments on them,"
"Experiments... hm," Yumetsuki responded, looking away. "And transformation into smoke..."
"If I have to fight them again, that Jutsu will be a nuisance," Kakashi muttered. Yumetsuki looked at him. "When it entered my body, I lost every ounce of my will..." He looked back at the girl, meeting eyes with her blue pair, knowing he can't have her go through that.
"Is that so?"
Yumetsuki looked straight above to find smoke swirling around them and she pursed her lips when she saw it descend around the three of them, becoming human bodies. She observed them shrewdly with her narrow blue eyes and knew that she needed to be mindful.
"Ultimately, Danzo is of Konoha," spoke the leader, Gotta. "Right now, Orochimaru is just another enemy. Isn't that so... Kinoe?! Bastard... since the beginning you were –!"
"Does every single one of you stand for Orochimaru?" Yumetsuki inquired, keeping her cool-headed while both Kakashi and Kinoe too busy getting tensed up.
"We are with Orochimaru-Sama, girl," responded Gotta with disdain at the masked girl. "And you three... will die for Orochimaru-Sama's sake...!"
As the three of them took each other's backs to face the crowd surrounding them, Yumetsuki found herself to be calmest out of the three of them, still. She eyed Gotta as he began to smoke but before she could do anything to bring up defences, someone else moved first.
"Tenzo!" shouted a girl with wavy brown hair and freckles as she came running over to stand in front of the brunet protectively. "I won't let you... touch Tenzo!"
"Are you still going on about that...?" Gotta said.
"I know!" replied Yukimi. "I know! Tenzo is already dead, right? I've had it! I won't let him die!"
Before any of her clan members could do anything, Yukimi turned into smoke with a pinkish-hue and swept around, ready to take Kinoe with him. The brunet instinctually caught Yumetsuki's hand to pull her along and the white-haired girl grabbed Kakashi's arm, bringing him along.
Yukimi led them up and within the tree structure. Yumetsuki pursed her lips as she eyed the girl while Kakashi and Kinoe both got onto their feet to look around the place.
"This way," Yukimi spoke and began to climb into a tunnel in the wooden walls of the tree and Yumetsuki eyed the situation as Kinoe started to follow the girl.
Kakashi looked toward Yumetsuki, offering her to go ahead first. He had done so as courtesy but soon realised that he would be right behind her as she crawled through the tunnel. Yumetsuki was about to climb in when he instinctually grabbed her waist to help her up a little.
Yumetsuki paused, not sure why Kakashi was offering her this sort of help when she was perfectly capable of climbing up – she was not a small person. She might be an inch shorter than him but she towered over all the girls that she knew from the Ninja Academy. She still did not say anything as Kakashi hoisted her up and she crawled into the tunnel, following Kinoe and Yukimi.
"What is going on?" Kakashi muttered as he climbed in after Yumetsuki, who was still wearing her Yukito mask but was crawling through the tunnel like a cat.
"This way, Tenzo," Yukimi said from the very front, not very into the two ANBU members in the back as much as she did regarding the brunet behind her.
"What does this path connect to?" Yumetsuki inquired anyhow, not very keen on the situation.
"It goes outside!" Yukimi replied.
"You're going to free us from Orochimaru?" Kakashi questioned.
"I don't know," Yukimi said.
"... Kinoe!" Kakashi spoke with a surprisingly frustrated voice and Yumetsuki could visual that on his face even though he was behind her and wearing his usual mask.
"Y-Yes..." Kinoe replied. "Hey, are you really taking us outside?"
"Yes!" Yukimi answered.
"But if you go outside..." Kinoe said. "Aren't you afraid of the wind?"
"There's something I really want to see," Yukimi replied as if it was the simplest thing ever. Yumetsuki pursed her lips when suddenly – "Oh!"
"What happened?" Kinoe asked.
"Can you hear it?" Yukimi asked, causing them all to stop and look toward her. "Listen carefully... It's faint, but you can hear it, isn't that right? You can, right?"
Yumetsuki focused her hearing and found her ears fill with the distant sound of celebration. It sounded like it was a festival going on somewhere nearby, and it seemed to have caught the attention of Yukimi a bit too much.
"Oh!" Kinoe spoke while Yumetsuki remained silent, and Kakashi appeared not to be able to hear anything of such that the brunette was going on about. "I can hear it!"
"I just really want to see where these sounds come from..." Yukimi replied and turned her head to look at her brother's lookalike. "... with you, Tenzo..."
Before any of the other three could think of something to respond, Yukimi turned into her smoke again and swept around Kinoe, taking him away with himself, leaving Yumetsuki and Kakashi there.
"Damn it!" Kakashi cursed in annoyance. "And we get left behind here?"
"Kakashi-Kun," Yumetsuki spoke as she turned around with surprising flexibility in the tight space. "Follow me, we shall get out of here and look for Orochimaru,"
And without waiting for his verbal response, Yumetsuki began to lead the two of them out of the tunnel, expanding her senses to see what would lead them outside. When the wooden tunnel turned downward to lead outside, she used her Ice to make a slide. The two of them slid down even when Kakashi was slightly doubtful that they needed to go down.
"We're finally out!" Kakashi said as he climbed out behind Yumetsuki, who was re-adjusting the Rabbit mask on her face. "I thought climbing straight up would do it, damn it. I've had nothing but bad luck today," He glanced toward Yumetsuki. "But I suppose it was good to have you in the lead,"
It was strange to see that Kakashi was complimenting her like that – she wondered if he was trying to appease her with those words. Yumetsuki felt like it was not needed. It shouldn't be a worry.
But before Yumetsuki could tell that to Kakashi, the two of them were attacked as a sharp weapon flew out of the darkness of the Iburi Clan-invested tree that they were still within.
However, it was very easy to dodge for them and Yumetsuki swept it off course with her Wind Jutsu, looking toward the darkness to see who had come to attack them.
"Who's there?" demanded Kakashi.
"Where is Yukimi?" responded Gotta as he appeared out of the darkness as smoke and revealed himself as a human to the pair of ANBU teenagers.
"Don't have a clue," Kakashi retorted.
"Defying me again?" Gotta asked. "Have you forgotten the pain from earlier?" Yumetsuki pursed her lips at the threat targeted at her friend. "Then, take this,"
"If it's smoke, then I'll do this!" Kakashi told him, pulling out his own sword to spin it around and deflect any smoke that might reach him or Yumetsuki.
But before Kakashi could do anything to attack the man, Yumetsuki brought out her tanto and rushed toward Gotta, striking him back as they engaged in a highly sensitive yet fast-paced battle of Kenjutsu. There was a tense understanding between them – Yumetsuki had used her Wind Style to warn the man that him turning into smoke would be detrimental for him.
Yet Yumetsuki was not going to do that right now; she had no interest in fatally injuring someone when she wanted nothing from them. She simply wanted to get out of here so she could go ahead and pursue Orochimaru. That was what all of her focus was located within.
However, that could certainly be the least of Gotta's concerns because he himself followed them out of the safety of his tree when Yumetsuki grabbed Kakashi and jumped into the forest outside.
Gotta was relentless in his attempts to attack them and he was reckless with his actions – and in doing so, was caught within a swept of wind from the trees as Yumetsuki protected Kakashi.
"Yukimi..." whispered Gotta as Yumetsuki and Kakashi walked over to where he laid. "The only one who can help Orochimaru-Sama... is you..."
"What are you talking about, hey?!" Kakashi asked as the man grew weaker with his words, and the two ANBU members had to lean down to hear.
"We're of no use..." Gotta spoke. "We have to offer Orochimaru-Sama young Yukimi's blood,"
From there on, Gotta passed away in the form of smoke.
It was silent in the forest as Yumetsuki and Kakashi looked toward each other as they processed what they had just heard. The girl was disgusted to think that they were so ready to give up Yukimi despite her being part of their clan. Yet that girl was the only way they could get to Orochimaru.
And so, it was decided amongst the two of them – Kakashi would go and bring Yukimi back while Yumetsuki would go and deal with the ANBU members slowly growing closer to their location.
Yumetsuki knew that her colleagues were suspicious of her as she redirected them around the country, taking them all away from the Iburi Clan's tree because she knew that they would take the extreme measures to make them listen. Yet it was too late.
When she came across Kakashi again, he only had Kinoe with him and there was no sign of Yukimi with them. Yumetsuki frowned when she heard about what had happened.
"We must hurry there as quickly as we can," Yumetsuki said. "We must protect her,"
"Perfect timing!" spoke Pakkun as he appeared within them out of nowhere and Yumetsuki looked toward him. "Orochimaru is up ahead, heading this way,"
"Damn it," Kakashi responded. "Let's hurry!"
When Yumetsuki, Kakashi, Kinoe and Pakkun arrived back the location, they found a brutal scene awaiting them – Orochimaru had arrived and wiped out the entire clan, drinking their blood and discarding their bodies. He must have acquired enough strength to follow after Yukimi.
And just as they feared, Orochimaru had reached Yukimi and had cornered her in. The three other young Ninjas rushed to try and save her but Orochimaru was quick.
"Yukimi-San!"
"Tenzo!"
"So, you've come to take her back?" Orochimaru commented slyly as he turned to look at them and he reached out to capture Yukimi with his elongated snake-like neck, taking her with himself through the ground. "Too bad..."
"Damn it, Orochimaru!" Kakashi cursed and Yumetsuki looked toward him with an glint in her eyes that told him that he needed to remain cool-headed and not be swept away.
"Orochimaru is losing blood – fast and excessively," Yumetsuki informed them. "He should not be able to go far in this condition. He will stop in order to take the girl's blood,"
"We'll split up and search!" Kakashi suggested immediately.
"Right!" replied Pakkun. "Leave it to me!"
In order to find Yukimi, all of them spread out through the hidden village to locate her or Orochimaru but it wasn't until smoke-like remnants of the murdered villagers appeared that they led the Konoha Ninjas where they needed to go.
Orochimaru was there with an unconscious Yukimi, extracting her blood from her neck. Kakashi moved in front of Yumetsuki and broke through the wall with his Lightning Blade.
"Yukimi-San!"
"Orochimaru!"
"You brats!" Orochimaru said. "How dare you! How dare you!" He pushed himself to his feet. "But look at this... you brought the rabbit here with you, why, this is the perfect occasion,"
Yumetsuki narrowed her eyes behind her Rabbit mask, not aware of the fact that Orochimaru had anything to do with her – or want to do anything with her. They were only student-siblings under Hiruzen. There had never been anything further than that.
Kakashi, however, took this very seriously and Yumetsuki wondered if he was privy to more than he had let on when she had come to help him against Orochimaru earlier.
"I won't waver this time..." Kakashi spoke up as he stepped in front of Yumetsuki. "I'll look into your eyes up to the very end and bring you down!"
"You are still so inferior," Orochimaru replied in a taunting voice. "Know your place! How dare you try to come between the little rabbit and myself?"
There was, however, no chance for any of them to engage in a battle as at that moment, the ceiling began to collapse. And as Yumetsuki protected everyone with her Ice Style: Globe of Ice, Orochimaru managed to get away through the ceiling itself.
"Didn't I already tell you?" Orochimaru said. "Grow up a little more, then I'll fight you!"
Yumetsuki turned to look toward Yukimi, who was screaming in pain as Kinoe tried to placate her and the two ANBU members rushed over to the two of them.
"Yukimi-San!" exclaimed Kinoe as Yumetsuki inspected her. "Yukimi-San!"
"She has Orochimaru's Curse Mark," Yumetsuki informed them with a grave voice.
"Yumetsuki-San, what do we do?" Kinoe asked. "Do you know Fuinjutsu?"
"I do," Yumetsuki replied, pursing her lips at the situation. "But when it comes to the Curse Mark, only the person who had casted this Jutsu can release it,"
"But that's...!" Kinoe responded but he was cut off by Yukimi reaching out to him, coming back to her senses as Yumetsuki managed to heal her a little.
"Ten... zo..." whispered Yukimi. "Ten... zo... Ten..."
Yukimi was reduced into her smoke and was dying, and in an attempt to keep her from dissipating in the air, Kinoe used his Wood Style to try and capture her. Yet his Jutsu was not as fast as he had hoped, and Yumetsuki raised her hands to try and help him as well.
In that moment, more smoke converged upon them, and they watched as the mass of smoke covered the wooden structure and the icy offshoots, and Yukimi's smoke.
Yumetsuki, Kakashi and Kinoe watched in silence as the smoke moulded itself and golden light shrouded them as a tree was produced in front of him, and in its cradle was a healed Yukimi.
"Yukimi-San!"
Somehow, the Iburi Clan had come together and saved Yukimi from perishing. Yumetsuki was quiet as she, Kakashi, Kinoe and Yukimi found themselves on crossroads. Orochimaru had fled, and although she didn't want to mention it, she was disappointed in herself.
"We didn't encounter Orochimaru," Kakashi spoke as he and Yumetsuki stood together. "Nor did we encounter a strange clan... nor someone from the Foundation,"
Yumetsuki remained silent, still, as she turned around to head away from the scene with Kakashi.
❄️